How reimagining the Public Works portfolio can drive South Africa’s economic growth

PUBLIC Works can and must become an enabler of state renewal and inclusive economic growth.

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For far too long, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), has been synonymous with state capture and corruption. Ministers have come and gone and the rot has continued. Yet this portfolio with decisive interventions, can help turn South Africa into a construction site, creating jobs and unlocking badly needed economic growth.

This was a vision first outlined by President Nelson Mandela and one that must be pursued by government led by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress.

A reimagining of this portfolio is all the more pressing with the economy barely averaging 1% annual growth over the past 15 years, unemployment a ticking time bomb at 43.1% and the fiscus facing a long list of equally pressing needs.

For this to happen, DPWI needs to be cleansed of the cancer of state capture. Politicians, business people and officials involved in corruption must be removed and made to face the law. To deal with corruption lifestyle audits by the South African Revenue Services and Special Investigations Unit must be deployed to such persons of influence.

Transparent procurement processes for the leasing of properties are needed as per the now assented to Public Procurement Act. Its promulgation and Regulations need to be expedited.

The government must ensure the long-promised asset registry of all state property is completed and made available to the public.

A cleansed and renewed DPWI needs to reimagine its role as the nation's leading property owner, but one tasked by Parliament and the Constitution to driving the nation's transformation and inclusive economic growth.